Level Designer

Company Information

Next Level Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd. The studio has 20 years of development experience, with titles including Super Mario Strikers, Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out!!, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Metroid Prime Federation Force, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and Mario Strikers: Battle League. The company emphasizes collaboration, an environment where employees feel welcome, and the Nintendo philosophy of game development focused on high-quality experiences.

Role Responsibilities

• Create carefully crafted layouts, game environments, and gameplay moments that guide players through fun experiences.
• Understand the project’s design direction and champion it through designs.
• Use strong communication skills to clearly present level vision and design intent to the team.
• Apply a design inclination toward simplicity and clarity.
• Help foster a highly iterative and collaborative environment.
• Take ownership of levels and drive them forward through all development phases.
• Lead by example and share expertise to better teammates.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of tools and development processes.

Candidate Qualifications

• Experience:
  • Shipped 1+ games, preferably with console experience.
  • Experience in all phases of game development.
  • Experience building 3D levels in level-based games.
• Skills:
  • Strong desire to solve hard design problems.
  • Strong layout skills with a deep understanding of how 3D spaces impact gameplay pacing.
  • Proficiency in Programming or Scripting.
  • Proficiency in 3D Layout programs (Unreal, Unity, Maya, etc.).
  • Willingness to be proactive to coordinate with the team.
• Eligibility:
  • Must have work eligibility in Canada.
  • Must be residing in or willing to relocate to Metro Vancouver.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $67,000 - $85,000 CAD annually (subject to change based on skills, education, and experience).
• Financial and Health:
  • Competitive annual leave.
  • Discretionary performance bonus program.
  • Health coverage.
  • Support for mental health, financial well-being, and legal assistance through the Employee Assistance Program.
• Perks and Culture:
  • Access to in-studio gym.
  • Extensive media library (games and books).
  • Internal committees (board games, sports, etc.).
  • Discounted shopping for Nintendo products and merchandise at the online employee store.
  • Inclusivity-focused workplace that encourages continuous growth.

Working Conditions

• Type: Mid Level, Temporary.
• Hybrid Policy: This is a hybrid role. The first three months must be fully in-studio. Following that, there is flexibility to work from home, with a requirement of three days per week in the Vancouver studio.